California Sea Grant College Program

This project was developed to apply novel study designs and microbiology techniques to better understand and control fecal pollution flowing from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems in California. The first objective was to evaluate the distribution of the fecal pathogen Cryptosporidium in nearshore waters, using mussels as bioconcentrators of the parasites from fecal contaminated waters. The second objective was to evaluate the distribution of fecal protozoa and bacteria on and around coastal farms, as well as evaluating the efficacy of a variety of Benefical Management Practices (BMPs) in reducing the load of fecal pathogens in storm runoff on these farms. The third objective was to extend our study findings to the local and regional stakeholders, the regulatory community, and the scientific community.